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China’s instructive VP debate antics

October 9, 2024 Michael Sobolik Washington Examiner

During the vice presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), viewers in the People’s Republic of China experienced a broadcast interruption. When the CBS moderators asked Gov. Walz about discrepancies regarding his story of being in China during the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, the video feed throughout China cut to an error screen. This “error” was, of course, the latest instance of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) censors silencing speech about sensitive topics within China.

Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 37

July 11, 2024 Michael Sobolik, Eamon Passey

Vietnamese President resigns amid anti-corruption campaign;
In break from pacifist principles, Japan approves plan to sell jets;
Malaysia rises as crucial link in chip supply chain...;
...While maintaining cooperation with Beijing;
U.S., Japan, Philippines plan joint South China Sea patrols

The NBA Bows to Beijing

June 18, 2024 Michael Sobolik National Review

The league’s latest behavior continues its thoroughgoing capitulation to China in pursuit of profit.

Ditching Political Ambiguity: Clarifying the Contradictions of America’s Taiwan Policy

June 18, 2024 Michael Sobolik, Elizabeth Oakes American Foreign Policy Council

The United States may be running out of time to deter Beijing from subsuming Taiwan. The sooner U.S. policymakers recognize this danger, the better chance America has of forestalling Beijing’s aggression. Doing so will require Washington to clarify the importance of its political relationship with Taipei.

Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 36

April 3, 2024 Michael Sobolik, Aedan Yohannan

U.S. Army special forces train Taiwanese troops;
Marines go virtual to address lack of Indo-Pacific training grounds;
With an eye on China, Japan announces maritime domain awareness aid;
Hanoi poised for explosive growth;
Cambodia's airport dreams stall